A Barnard/Columbia Spring 2017 V-Day Production
As president of the student club V-Day, which had historically put on The Vagina Monologues but expanded narratives on feminism with student perspectives, I directed and produced the multimedia evening length performance, Access|Ability, a student written show centering the narratives of students of color at Columbia University living with physical and psychiatric disabilities. Having been the only Black person to perform in the previous production on mental health and disability titled (Respect)ability, I decided to center the experiences of students of color.
Press
March 6, 2017 – Barnard Bulletin Review by Alicia Simba, “This Was For Y’all:” A Conversation with the V-Day Access|Ability Team
Awards
V-Day received the Barnard Bold Organization Award for the production Access|Ability and art exhibit PENDULUM as well as the organization’s mental health advocacy and activism
Nadia Naomi Mbonde also won the Barnard Bold Student Award for her leadership as V-Day’s president among other extracurricular and academic accomplishments
Watch the Recording of Access|Ability
Content Warning: depressions, suicidal ideation, police brutality, sexual assault, eating disorders, self-harm and maternal death
*This recording was made possible by the cinematography of Kanako Fujioka, Sarah Ning Chiang, and Ornella Friggit as well as editing by Nadia Naomi Mbonde and Natalie Rugur Karira
ACT 1
“The Roommate” [0:00– 8:26] Play written by Chengkai Hu Performanced by Eddie Ojo (as Sarah), Donovan Redd (as David) & Chengkai Hu (as Sam)
“The Creature” [8:26–12:01] Monologue written by Daniela Dos Santos Audio & Performance by Eddie Ojo Choreographed by Nadia Naomi Mbonde
“Sole-r Systems” [12:01–14:26] Choreopoem written by Shanga Labossiere Performed by Joya Ahmad & Donovan Redd Choreographed by Nadia Naomi Mbonde
“Breakfast with Depression” [14:26–17:07] Play written by Onyekachi Iwu Performed by Joya Ahmad (as The Depression) & Eddie Ojo (as Anika)
ACT 2
“Body Clock” [17:07–18:42] Poem written & Film produced by Ruguru Karira Performed by Onyekachi Iwu
“Nightline” [18:42–20:11] Skit written by Ruguru Karira Performed by Viviana Prado-Núñez (as Caller) & Ruguru Karira (as Nightline)
“When I Die” [20:11–21:40] Poem written Anonymously Performed by Donovan Redd
“On Considering Suicide” [21:40–27:07] Poem written by Krish Bhatt Performed by Viviana Prado-Núñez
“In Memory” [27:07– 30:57] Poem written by Joya Ahmad, Ruguru Karira & Chismon Faith Orakwue Performed by Chengkai Hu & Eddie Ojo
ACT 3
“Our Bodies” [30:57–33:12] Film produced by Ruguru Karira & Nadia Naomi Mbonde Audio by Onyekachi Iwu & Daniela Dos Santos Performed by Eddie Ojo, Onyekachi Iwu, Daniela Dos Santos, DaMonique Ballou Music: Emissary by Keaton Henson Choreographed by Nadia Naomi Mbonde
“Burns and Whispers” [33:12–34:43] Poem written by Chimsom Faith Orakwue Performed by Onyekachi Iwu
“Spreading Myself Too Thin” [34:43–35:50] Poem written by Ruguru Karira Performed by Ruguru Karira, Onyekachi Iwu & Eddie Ojo
“Black Thoughts” [35:50–37:42] Poem written anonymously Performed by Ruguru Karira, Onyekachi Iwu, Eddie Ojo & Donovan Redd
“No” [37:42–39:08] Poem written by Akosua Gyameah Performed by Ruguru Karira
ACT 4
“Haunted” [39:08–46:07] Written Anonymously Performed by Viviana Prado-Núñez
“Embryos & Embolisms” [46:07–54:03] Film produced by Nadia Naomi Mbonde Audio by Sarah Kim & Nadia Mbonde Performed by Sarah Kim Music: Earnestly Yours by Keaton Henson Choreographed by Nadia Naomi Mbonde
“Island” Audio by Joya Ahmad [54:03–56:48] Music: Island by Sarah Bareilles Danced by DaMonique Ballou Co-choreographed by Nadia Naomi Mbonde & DaMonique Ballou
“Language of Panic” [56:48–1:00:13] Multilingual piece written by Ruguru Karira & Daniela Dos Santos Performed by Ruguru Karira, Daniela Dos Santos & Viviana Prado-Núñez
“Prelude to Mercy Me” [1:00:13–1:02:24] Audio by Nadia Naomi Mbonde Music: Piano Song by Eryn Allen Kaine
“Mercy Me” [1:02:24–1:04:42] Performed by Entire Cast Music: Have Mercy by Eryn Allen Kaine Choreographed by Nadia Naomi Mbonde
“A Prayer” [1:04:24–1:05:20] Written by Jennifer Guzman Performed by Entire Cast Curtain Call [1:05:20–1:08:27]
Nadia Naomi Mbonde 